Adelaide Winter School
Spend your summer swimming with dolphins or exploring historic Port Adelaide: there is something for everyone in Australia's coastal cultural capital.
Take in a match at the "prettiest cricket stadium in the world" Adelaide Oval, or explore the galleries and botanical gardens of the North Terrace, all located close to the university. Established in 1874, the University of Adelaide is ranked 8th in Australia and #106 worldwide (QS 2020). It has a student population of over 21,000 students, including nearly 8,000 international students, and is one the Group of Eight - Australia's leading research-intensive universities. The university has four campuses, three of which are in Adelaide (including the main campus, North Terrace).
Key information
Application information
Student experience
Hear from UCalgary BioSci student Leah about her year abroad at the University of Adelaide!
Program details
Students can take one or two intensive courses in Adelaide's Winter School.
Courses are available from across a wide range of subjects, such as anthropology, business, communications, development studies, geography, economics, environmental science, national science, Indigenous studies, law and society, and public health.
The exact course offerings vary each year; click here to view the courselist for the current year. Some popular topics that have returned over multiple years include the Australian wine industry and Australia's Aboriginal cultures. Unique courses offered in Summer 2023 include Brewery Engineering, Travel Writing, The Art of Public Speaking, and Animals & The Law!
Experiential Learning: Adelaide offers an Arts internship opportunity to incoming exchange students called the 'Community Engagement Learning Project', worth 3 units (equivalent to 1 UCalgary course). Selection is based on availability of host organizations and GPA, and involves working with a local organisation in the public/private sector.
The Winter School takes place in June/July. The dates depend on the classes chosen, between 2-4 weeks.
There is also a Summer School in January/February. This is a good option for students who will be doing a Semester 1 exchange in Australia/NZ, or another country where the semester doesn't start until late February or later, and want a program to fill the gap between. It would also be a good option for students who don't plan to attend UCalgary courses in the winter semester and only need one or two class credits to finish their degree requirements. Please contact study.abroad@ucalgary.ca if you are interested in this option, as applications for the summer school are only opened on a case-by-case basis when there is demand for it.
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Costs
Exchange students pay their tuition and academic fees to the University of Calgary for 2 summer courses. Other expenses are paid directly to the service provider. Also, remember to include things like visas, insurance, vaccinations etc in your budget planning.
It is recommended that students budget around AUS$1395-2950 for the summer or winter school to pay for accommodation and living expenses. Additional financial information can be found online (see the chart titled "Exchange Fees").
Adelaide cost comparison vs. Calgary: Click Here
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Funding
Did you know that you can take your UCalgary funding with you on exchange? Since you remain a degree-seeking student at UCalgary while on exchange, you remain eligible for any awards and scholarships you are eligible to receive from the university as well as student loans.
Our office administers several awards, including the Global Access Fund (based on a funding-first model where students apply prior to committing to a global learning program) and the Global Learning Award (students apply after being accepted to a global learning program; the amount varies year-to-year as the money is split among chosen recipients). Students may only receive these awards once. Please see the funding page, linked below, for more information.
Exchange students to Adelaide are given many options for housing through the university's Accommodation Service. Students may apply for a room at one of the off-campus student residences managed by the university. These residences are mainly apartment-style and have 3-6 bedrooms with shared or private bathrooms and a shared kitchen. Some residences are laid out in halls with single bedrooms-plus-ensuites and a shared kitchen as well as a semi-catered meal plan (e.g. weekday dinners provided).
Alternatively, students wishing to arrange their own housing privately can seek assistance and advice from the Accommodation Service.
This exchange is open to regular, full-time students in any faculty at the U of C, who have completed at least 1 full year (10 courses) at the post-secondary level, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
What's special about Adelaide?
Tied with Calgary for one of the top 5 most livable cities in the world, Adelaide is often informally referred to as the "Food and wine capital of Australia" for its abundant markets and wineries, and the "Amsterdam of Australia" for its flat terrain and expansive cycle culture. Bike rentals can be found throughout the city (note cycling without a helmet is illegal in Australia!) and the relatively calm traffic and plentiful bike paths make it an accessible form of transit. Adelaide is also one of the most affordable cities in Australia (14% more affordable overall compared to over major cities in Australia, or for a detailed breakdown: 21% cheaper than Melbourne, 23% cheaper than Sydney, 4% cheaper than Brisbane and Perth), saving you money for travelling across the continent.
Adelaide Central Market is South Australia's most visited landmark, is one of the country's oldest (since 1869) and largest fresh produce markets, making it a mecca for foodies and connoiseurs, with unique offerings and culinary delights you can't easily find elsewhere in Australia. Also, check out some of Adelaide's best festivals and events across South Australia!
Adelaide has a Mediterranean climate, ranging from 10 degrees as a winter average up to 25-30 degrees as a summer average. However, it's still a good idea to pack a light jacket, hoodie, and jeans as insulation in Australian buildings tends to be less common than in Canada.
What accessibility resources are available?
Adelaide's Disability Service provides comprehensive support for students with disabilities.
What else should I know?
Like many universities in Australia, the University of Adelaide has a smoke-free campus policy. Smoking on campus is not permitted.
You can also check out testimonials from past international students at the University of Adelaide - click here!
Have questions?
The exchange advisor for this program is: Kathryn Bauer
How to Apply
Download the application guide
This PDF contains information on how to complete your application and what to do after you have applied.
Identify three programs of interest
We recommend applying for your top three programs for the priority application deadline, as placement may be competitive. We will assess your applications in ranked order.
Check requirements and deadlines
These may vary by program, so check the individual program pages and make sure that you are aware of any different application deadlines or eligibility requirements.
Start your application
Once you have gathered everything you need, you can begin your application!
Please note: Applications will not be considered complete until all required documents are submitted in full.
International travel presents challenges that may not be found when attending classes on campus. There may be a lack of resources, emergency services, hospitals, accessibility issues and/or demands on the physical and the mental self, all of which can challenge individuals when away from their usual support systems and structures. Adequate preparation is essential.
For this reason, it is imperative that you evaluate all aspects of your own physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual condition against the rigors of the particular global learning program you are selecting. If you are unsure of whether or not this program is a good fit for you and/or if you have any circumstances that could impede your enjoyment of the program, please contact us. Our Global Learning Advisors will be happy to assist in finding the best options for you and arrange any supports or accommodations necessary to ensure your success.
If you have or are seeking a certificate from Student Accessibility Services, you should provide this early to your Global Learning Advisor to ensure that the option that you are seeking can support your needs.
Please note: All participants must adhere to COVID-19 and other vaccination-related requirements for the destinations visited on this program. Failure to do so may have consequences such as being denied access to accommodation/housing, program activities, or to the host country itself.